Deputy in fatal shooting case makes statement

Even though he didn’t have to do so, a Marion County sheriff’s deputy involved in a shooting two weeks ago that took the life of an Ocklawaha man gave a statement Friday to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Detective Todd Tucker, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 145, which represents Marion deputies, said Steve Simpson, 26, gave a verbal statement to FDLE agents.

It was not revealed how long the interview lasted, or what was said.

FDLE spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said Simpson volunteered to be interviewed.

She said all of the interviews related to the case have been completed and agents are awaiting toxicology reports and the Medical Examiner’s Office report before forwarding their investigation to the State Attorney’s Office for review.

Earlier this week, Chief Assistant State Attorney Ric Ridgway said if there is any criminal offense, the appropriate charge will be filed. The case could go to a grand jury or his office could find that no charges are warranted.

The funeral for Michael Lyell Smith, 26, who died during the Jan. 28 incident, is slated for 2 p.m. today at Victory Baptist Church in Summerfield.

Smith and a friend had been stopped by Simpson near County Road 25 and County Road 464-C shortly before 8 p.m. Jan. 28 for reportedly following too closely behind another vehicle. Simpson asked for Smith’s driver’s license and told him the reason for the stop, according to reports.

Smith started to drive off and the deputy became lodged in the window of his truck and was dragged down the street. A shot was fired and the deputy fell onto the road. He was not seriously hurt.

Tucker said Friday that Simpson was encouraged by the FOP to not make a statement at the time and to wait at least 72 hours before saying anything. Tucker said that is standard procedure in traumatic cases, such as the one experienced by the deputy.

Tucker would not comment on whether Simpson was advised to make a statement after the 72-hour window was past.

He also said it is standard procedure that a deputy who is a member of the FOP is provided with an FOP attorney to assist in the process.

“I’m not going to comment on what he and his attorney talked about. That’s attorney-client privilege,” Tucker said.

Tucker said Simpson is “hanging in there.” He said the shooting was “an emotional situation he is dealing with.”

Simpson returned to work this week in the aviation unit, rather than patrol duty.

The friend riding with Smith told a Star-Banner reporter this week that the deputy never gave a reason for stopping them and said the deputy and Smith hardly exchanged any words, although Simpson did ask for his friend’s driver’s license and registration.

He alleged that Simpson dove into the vehicle, leaving half his body inside and half outside. He said he heard shots and then the truck crashed, leaving him temporarily unconscious. He said he came to and saw the deputy administering CPR to Smith.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.

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